Victoria’s marine waters support more than 12,000 species of plants and animals, 90% of which are found nowhere else in the world. The event is nearly sixty years old and the longest running event of the World Surf League World Championship Tour. Map pins are available via the tab key in a list after the map. If you're a sightseer, Bells Beach is a popular spot with great vantage points along the cliff. The change in date allowed surfers from across the country to make the trip to Bells Beach for the competition. Travel from Adelaide to Melbourne the right way, visit the Grampians, Great Ocean Road & the 12 Apostles! PACIFIC LONGBOARDER MAGAZINE. These are from the Point Addis Marine National Park. Credit: Joe Armao He said surfers and residents were angry about the proposal and believed there should only be … Terms and Conditions, (Changing your region, will clear your cart). High cliffs provide a dramatic backdrop to the natural amphitheatre of the beach and large swells from the Southern Ocean, which slow down and steepen over the reef-strewn shallows, create the outstanding surf. The beach gained its international fame as the location of the annual Rip Curl Pro event. Bells Beach is one of Australia’s most famous beaches. This Photo: Weedy Seadragon. Today, this road is part of the Torquay to Anglesea walking track. Generally speaking, most people head to the beach specifically to surf. Head to Bells Beach over the Easter weekend and watch the world's best surfers carve up the waves at the Rip Curl Pro Surfing Competition. Pic: Steffan Howe / Parks Victoria. PO Box 3120 Ride a wave at Bells Beach, located near Torquay on the southern coast of Victoria in the Great Ocean Road region. After years of surfers tracking through a local’s land, and agreement was made to create a road to access the beach. Nerang DC QLD 4211 Australia. Eventually a local hired a bulldozer and cleared a route to the beach. The competition is so well known and the surfing opportunities so spectacular the beach became the first surfing reserve in the world. These southern waters are some of the healthiest in the world, with a protected marine system that is home to thousands of species of plants and animals.”, “This system comprises 13 national marine parks and 11 marine sanctuaries that help protect plants and animals from threats including pollution and illegal fishing.”, “The surfing community and groups like SANE (Surfers Appreciating Natural Environments) play a significant role in protecting and promoting Point Addis Marine National Park as a world-class destination and marine protected area.”. Type a minimum of three characters then press UP or DOWN on the keyboard to navigate the autocompleted search results. We all know of course that the line-up at Bells is often pumping – but there’s just as much happening below the waves as it turns out. Pic: Mark Rodrigue / Parks Victoria, Southern Roughy. As shorter boards became more popular it became easier for surfers to make their way to the beach, however it was still inconvenient to say the least. Best place to see koalas on the Great Ocean Road. The events iconic bell trophy is one of the most sought-after surfing titles in the world. That Saturday in 1981 was mayhem. The beach gained its international fame as the location of the annual Rip Curl Pro event. The surf here is not suited for beginners and its recommended that only experienced surfers head into the sea. Typical boards were up to 5m long at the time and surfers needed to drag the heavy boards 45 minutes through the bush to get to the beach. editor@pacificlongboarder.com Quotes attributable to Parks Victoria, Statewide Leader–Marine and Coasts, Mark Rodrigue: “Victoria’s coastline is so spectacular that it can be easy to overlook what’s below the waves. Pic: Mark Rodrigue / Parks Victoria, Giant Cuttlefish. But what isn’t as well known is the Indigenous history of Bells Beach. The name was changed to the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, and around Easter every year since, the tradition has continued. Please enable JavaScript in order to get the best experience when using this site. Thousands of gnarly marine creatures are carving through the brightly coloured sponge gardens, kelp forests and reefs that sit below the surface of Point Addis Marine National Park. The 4,600-hectare marine national park protects plants and animals that live among its wide sandy beaches, cliffs, rocky platforms, reefs and on the seabed. We all know of course that the line-up at Bells is often pumping – but there’s just as much happening below the waves as it turns out. All rights reserved. Not only were the 15ft swells the largest that the event has seen in its 55-year history, but it was also the birth of modern surfing. Though the first Bells Beach Surf Classic was held in 1962 and the event turned pro in 1973. Pic: Mark Rodrigue / Parks Victoria, Yellow Zoanthid. Related article: Best place to see koalas on the Great Ocean Road. We recommend heading onto the lookout along the stairs. Bells Beach is one of the most iconic surf breaks in the world. accounts@pacificlongboarder.com, SURF MEDIA PTY LTD - REPORT FROM JOSHUA MAHER, PARKS VICTORIA. A swell of that magnitude was a rarity in surfing events at the time, and just as it is today, surfers in the water and on the beach were frothing at the mouth. While this week its waters are hosting the world’s best surfers, the park’s permanent residents include a dazzling variety of marine species. All the latest headlines, videos, special offers and event information delivered WEEKLY to your INBOX. The marine national park also plays a role in conserving Aboriginal and European history. Rip Curl have held the naming rights since day one, adding to the nostalgic feels the event is well known for. Use the ESC key to close, or press the close button. You’ll get some amazing views of the beach below, without risking your life! If you're a sightseer, Bells Beach is a popular spot with great vantage points along the cliff. For surfers, Bells Beach is really for the experienced. In order to recover his expenses, he began to charge a pound per surfer using the track. You can pan the map with the keyboard arrows. Local Aboriginal people used the area for fishing and food collection, and many middens are located along the shoreline. Surfers trek down the Great Ocean Road in Victoria to experience the thrill of riding its waves, and it has also been immortalized in Hollywood blockbuster movies, such as Point Break. Pacific Longboarder Magazine is published by Surf Media Pty Ltd. We are dedicated to providing a comprehensive coverage of longboarding and the surfing lifestyle. Includes accommodation. Enjoy an action-packed day from Melbourne full of guided nature walks, wildlife, seaside towns & beaches. Since its conception the competition has grown in significance and is a well-loved event in the international surfing calendar. High cliffs provide a dramatic backdrop to the natural amphitheatre of the beach and large swells from the Southern Ocean, which slow down and steepen over the reef-strewn shallows, create the outstanding surf. See the Great Ocean Road the right way & spend 2 full days along this awe-inspiring coastline! The beach itself is rather small and the swell reaches great heights. Bells Beach itself is a rather small beach and is surrounded by steep cliffs. Offshore lies the wreck of the Inverlochy, a Scottish cargo vessel that ran aground on Ingoldsby reef in 1902 and which today is visible from the surface on calm days. Colourful sea stars, sea slugs and snails crawl along the bottom, while above swims a diversity of fish such as wrasse, leatherjackets and a healthy population of Weedy Seadragon – Victoria’ s marine emblem. It is officially the longest running surfing competition in not only Australia but the world. The Rip Curl Pro competition is the second international surfing competition of the year and coincides with Easter annually. When the beach was first recognised as a surfing beach, access to the beach proved to be a difficult task. 90% of Victoria’s 12,000 species of marine plants and animals are found nowhere else in the world. Thousands of gnarly marine creatures are carving through the brightly coloured sponge gardens, kelp forests and reefs that sit below the surface of Point Addis Marine National Park. Privacy Policy. The first competition was held on Australia Day but was changed to Easter the following year. The event is nearly sixty years old and the longest running event of the World Surf League World Championship Tour. Official site for Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Surfer at Bells Beach, Torquay, Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia, Jarosite Road, Bells Beach, Victoria, 3228. There are however some great fishing opportunities if you’re a keen fisher. The beach is an exposed reef and point break with excellent right hand breaks, at their best during autumn and winter. 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